The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-27
A MATTER OF MISREPRESENTATION.

a writer In the kokomo OaZette-lrlbune, |
and one in the Goshen Times signing him
self 3D." the identity Of both of whom is
readily apparent, as well as several others
who have felt compelled to explain and de-
fend the legislative compromise, indulge IN
such gross and uncaled for misrepresentation
of the journal as to demand notice. We have
neither the desire nor the taste to further dis
cuss the agreement. 1t aid the facts speak
for themselves. A course of action had been
unanimously determined upon by the
Republicans on Tuesday night OF
the 18th instant, which was either
right or wrong. The Journal believed it to
be right then, and believes SO yet. On
Wednesday morning the 10th, without con-
sultation with either Lieutenant-governor
Robertson or Senator Harrison, this position
was receded from, and compromise ar
ranged with the Democrats. If the former
attitude of the Republicans was right, the
compromise was wrong and needless; if the
former position was wrong, the compromise
was right and necessary. Not all the fine
words about claw and order can make any
difference in the facts, nor can all the per-
fumes of Araby sweeten the compromise to
the acceptance of the Republicans of the
State, who believed the first attitude of the
Republicans to be right, just legal and i'm
pregnable. VIVA caused the compromise is
set forth on the face of the document, as well
as confessed in all the defenses or explana-
tions made. The compromise itself shows
that what was gained, and the only thing
gained. rather exchanged for the conces-
sions the Republicans made was that the Sen
ate would come over to the House "without
show of menace or force, and 3D." in his
letter to the Goshen Times, says:
at was positively ascertained by Senators
Campbell and Winter and the writer that it
was the determination of Smith to preside at
| the joint convention. On Wednesday morn
| ing, few minutes before 10 o'clock a confer
ence committee of both houses agreed upon
| the so-called compromise"
That is all that is necessary to say as to the
| reasons for the compromise"
But the journal is charged with being
among the "hot heads" who urged that the
House should throw out two members for ev-
cry Senator the Democrats might unseat
That is absolutely and unqualifedly untrue.
| On the other hand, in more than score of
editorials the Journal urged that the Republic
ans should stand within the forms and spirit of
| thelaw, and specifically said that the Republic
ans should unseat only those against whom
the law and the facts We're conclusive" Good
Republicans did suggest, that, in answer to
the bluff of the Democrats that Republican
| Senators would be unseated by wholesale,
measures should be taken For self defense in
the House; but to actually proceed to extremes
in either body would have been worse than
useless, SO far as a United States Senator is
concerned. The Senate of the United States
would never admit to his seat man elected
| by manufactured members, whether he be q
| Republican or Democrat. The files Of the
Journal, from the commencement of the con-
test until now, will show its position in stead.
lily and earnestly advocating standing well
within the law
1t is next charged against u.s. with othe,
shot heads" that we demanded that Colonel
Robertson should preside in the joint conven
ton. That is not true. When the writ was
issued by the Circuit Court the journal tool
the ground that such writ was clearly in
valid and inoperative--a position we under
stand to be occupied by every Republican
member of the Legislature We said that i
was personal matter with Colonel Robertson
whether he should obey or not, he being will
ing to take the consequences. On the othe
hand, the shot heads" determined in tn,
Tuesday night caucus, unanimously, that Col
Robertson should defer in his action to tn
writ, and that the Republicans should no
seem even to be willing to violate the form
of law in any respect That position met tn
Journals cordial support, and it was an
nounced and Endorsed on Wednesday morning
and has been Endorsed in every editorial upo
the matter since. But the caucus deter
mined that, Colonel Robertson waving hi
rights Green Smith should in no way be re
cognized, but that Speaker Sayre should "pre
side" Whether that agreement was uphel
by the promise" is not worth wastin
. words over.
The next statement about the Journal il
to use the language of 3D." in the Goshe
Times, this:
1.-The journal has on the contrary elaine
that The Legislature was Republican, and tina
Harrison should-must beat all hazards
a elected United States Senator
4 That is not true, and the writer either kne'